Whether Portuguese or international, the number of organisations dedicated to technological research has grown almost exponentially and they cover many varied areas. Here are some of interest to the cork sector.
Cork Technology Centre (CTCOR) - The CTCOR is a non-profit research laboratory that plays an important role in the definition of standards for the Portuguese Cork Industry. The CTCOR is recognised by the Portuguese Government as a centre of expertise and it has around 200 members. The CTCOR has 70 per cent private funding, the Government funding the remainder through various different bodies. The CTCOR conducts research in the following areas: environmental quality, energy, technical and technological innovation, strategy, occupational safety and health.
For more information, see the site www.ctcor.com
Cork Industry Training Centre (CINCORK) – this organisation develops training programmes for both young people entering working life and company workforces, covering a wide range of areas: production management and maintenance, quality, environment and energy, occupational safety and health, human resource management, management and finance strategy, commercial management/marketing and sector-specific technological training. www.cincork.com
The Australian Wine Research Institute - AWRI - Established in 1955, the Australian Wine Research Institute is a private company owned by the Australian wine industry. Its object is to provide scientific research and development activities for this sector. www.awri.com.au
BUREAU VERITAS - Founded in 1828, the Bureau Veritas Group is the world leader in Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QSHE) services and serves customers in the major economic sectors: Marine, Energy and Process, Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics, Building and Facilities, Aeronautics and Space, International Trade and Consumer Products.
With an international network of more than 580 offices and 11,000 highly qualified employees in more than 150 countries on all continents, the Bureau Veritas Group has proven experience and capacity on a global scale in specialist services in the fields of conformity assessment (classification, certification, inspection and tests), consultancy, training and outsourcing. In the cork industry it isresponsible for the awarding the aforementioned International Quality Certification under Systecode.
For further information, see www.bureauveritas.com
IPROCOR (Instituto del Corcho, la Madera y el Carbón Vegetal) – based in the province of Extremadura in Spain, this institute is devoted to the promotion of and research into new technologies and applications using three materials: cork, wood and charcoal; it has developed various initiatives in conjunction with Portuguese companies and institutions aimed at protecting the Iberian cork forest such as the II Jornadas Ibéricas do Montado, held in 2005, in Portel, in the Alentejo. www.iprocor.org